Central Asian states plan joint regional brand

Central Asian countries are planning to establish joint production platforms under the ’’Made in Central Asia’’ brand. This was announced yesterday, November 13, at the first meeting of the Council of Trade and Investment Ministers of Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries held in Tashkent.

During the meeting, trade and investment ministers from Central Asian states discussed a set of measures to develop mutual trade and deepen industrial integration. Particular attention was given to creating effective mechanisms to raise the volume of trade turnover to $20 billion, establishing joint production sites under the ’’Made in Central Asia’’ brand, and attracting international financial institutions and major investors to infrastructure and industrial projects.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the country’s mutual trade with Central Asian states continues to grow at a stable pace. While the volume of trade turnover stood at $3.2 billion in 2017, it had more than doubled by 2024, reaching $6.9 billion. In particular, trade with Kazakhstan is approaching $4 billion, with Kyrgyzstan reaching $700 million, with Tajikistan exceeding $570 million, and with Turkmenistan more than doubling over the past five years to reach $1.15 billion. It was also noted that trade turnover with Azerbaijan has increased by 13 percent since the beginning of the year.

During the meeting, the need to further optimize customs and border procedures, harmonize transport and logistics infrastructure, and create industrial hubs capable of integrating production chains was emphasized. The development of industrial cooperation, the joint utilization of raw material and technological capacities, and the expansion of exports of high-value-added finished products were among the key topics discussed.

It is worth noting that on November 16 this year, Tashkent will host the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian states.